According to information published by CCTV on March 30, 2024, China’s state broadcaster recently announced the development of the J-15D, an electronic warfare version of the J-15 carrier-based fighter jet, equipped with electronic warfare pods similar to those on the J-16D, another of China’s electronic warfare aircraft.
This development is expected to enhance the capabilities of China’s aircraft carrier, the Fujian, with the J-15D predicted to soon make its appearance on the carrier’s deck.
Previously, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) only had the J-16D as its electronic warfare aircraft, which is not a carrier-based version, indicating a gap in China’s carrier-based electronic warfare capabilities.
The J-15D, a variant designed for electronic combat, is equipped with pods resembling those on the J-16D, emphasizing its dual role as both a fighter and an electronic warfare aircraft. With its heavy, twin-engine design, the J-15D can carry a larger arsenal of air-to-air and air-to-surface/sea munitions than the J-35, offering a broader range of applications.
According to reports, the J-15D represents the third electronic warfare platform in the PLA’s fighter fleet. It is based on the Russian Su-33 carrier-based fighter jet, with the electronic warfare version still under testing and it is unclear whether mass production is planned.
Experts suggest that the primary reason for upgrading the J-15 to an electronic warfare variant was due to its original design as a carrier-based aircraft, which already had a mature configuration suitable for such a transformation with the addition of electronic warfare capabilities.